Muse Bihi Abdi Projected Winner of Somaliland Presidential election

Ruling party candidate Muse Bihi Abdi speaks to the media after casting his vote in the presidential election in Hargeisa, Somaliland, Nov. 13, 2017.

Colonel Muse Bihi Projected Winner of Somaliland Presidential election. Muse Bihi Abdi, 69, will become the 5thPresident of Somaliland, GubanMedia projects, a landslide victory for him. Muse Bihi, the former military commander, will become the first Somaliland to win over 50% of the votes cast. GubanMedia is confident when the electoratal commission officially declares the result; he would win 53.5 percent of all votes cast.

Muse Bihi won most of the major population centers of Somaliland, including Hargeisa, Gabiley area, Burao, Borama, Berbera, and Las Anod. He also received more votes than Silanyo did in 2010 election.

Muse Bihi’s victory will most likely end the political career of then candidate Irro, who was the Speaker for 12 years three months ago.

Now, President-elect Bihi faces the job of uniting the country after divisive and smear campaign conducted by Irro during the election.

Colonel Muse Bihi, who is the first Somaliland President with military experience, campaigned for national security, and vowed to address the most pressing issues facing the nation: the crushing poverty in our society, our broken judicial system, providing basic services like water and electricity,healthcare, and youth unemployment.He also pledged to combat female genital mutilation, to increase women representation in politics, and to introduce compulsory national service for high and college graduates.

Somaliland voters have spoken and voted for a change.They voted against Irro because he was not an agent for a change. And they are expecting from President-elect Bihi to put together a lean and competent cabinet with fresh faces. Jamal Hussein who has experience in finance and banking is expected to become finance secretary. While the reform minded Ahmed Samatar is favorite to run Education Department.Both men have campaigned tirelessly for Candidate Bihi.

But, first, Muse Bihi must swear in as 5th President of Somaliland on inauguration day, December 16.